CES: Lenovo unleashes K900 Intel superphone

LAS VEGAS: CHINESE PC VENDOR Lenovo has taken a second swing at the 2013 smartphone market, unveiling its latest flagship K900 smartphone.

Lenovo unveiled the K900 alongside Intel at a press party at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The smartphone features a number of unusual features, chief of which are its use of an Intel Atom processor and that it will run Android.

Lenovo is yet to release the processors exact speed, though Intel has claimed that the chip will make the K900 one of the fastest smartphones in the world.

"Intel is pleased to provide the processor that will power Lenovo's latest flagship, K900. This innovative smartphone exemplifies the close cooperation between Lenovo and Intel," said Intel GM of mobile Hermann Eul.

"We believe that consumers will appreciate Lenovo's cutting-edge design and the overall responsiveness provided by Intel's next generation processor."

Prior to the K900 in the UK only two other smartphones have been released running Intel chips, the Motorola Razr I and Orange San Diego.

Both devices ran using single-core Intel processors, taking heed of the company's claim that there is presently no need for multi-core processors in a smartphone.

Lenovo SVP Liu Jun went on to support Intel's claim, reiterating the company's argument that better software optimisation removes the need for multi-core processing in mobile devices.

"With the K900, our team has broken down the key functions of the smartphone and redesigned them from the ground up," said Jun.

"Rather than focus on specifications that look good on a datasheet, we've zeroed in on what consumers want [...] The K900 is a game-changer that looks as good as it performs."

The K900 will also feature a 13MP rear camera that Lenovo loaded with a Sony Exmor BSI sensor and F1.8 focal length lens for shooting in low light conditions.

Lenovo claims that the camera will be able to outperform all competing smartphone's cameras, including Nokia's Lumia 920.

The handset has a 5.5in IPS HD 1080p touchscreen that will display over 400ppi (pixels-per-inch).

The K900 will measure a skinny 6.9mm thick and weigh 162g, making it roughly 30g heavier than competing devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3, which weighs a more modest 133g.

The smartphone will be released in China in April, with Lenovo promising that a wider rollout to "select territories" will follow. There is presently no information regarding the K900's price.

Check back with The INQUIRER later for a hands-on look at the Lenovo K900. µ